Mumbai, Oct 9 (NationPress) Actress Richa Chadha, known for her recent role in ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, has expressed her thoughts on the critical issue of screen count for films that hold societal importance.

On Thursday, the actress took to her X, formerly Twitter, to share a detailed note discussing how independent films struggle to secure adequate screens in comparison to blockbuster or mainstream films. She highlighted that despite receiving numerous international accolades and critical praise, producers of independent films often find themselves facing financial losses.

Using the recent film ‘Homebound’ as an example, she pointed out that despite being produced by one of Hindi cinema's leading production companies, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film is experiencing a significant decline in audience turnout.

A social media user commented, saying, “This p* me off so much; so many people wanted to watch it, but it was hardly shown on any suitable screens. If the producer can’t market the country's Academy Award entry, with such fantastic reviews, it’s a skill issue.”

In response, the actress remarked, “Hmmm… the film received a decent number of shows primarily due to the producer's influence. I believe we had even fewer shows for ‘Masaan’. Each screen and KDM incurs costs, as does every show. Exhibitors assess that against the actual number of attendees who purchase snacks.”

She elaborated, stating, “Moreover, fewer attendees are due to inflated ticket prices. Affordable single-screen theatres have almost disappeared over time. Producers suffer financial losses from films long after the awards have been given, while actors benefit in terms of marketability and credibility. So, what’s hindering independent films? Exorbitant ticket prices, P&A bottlenecks, fewer screens, and the monopoly of a select few over screens.”